We're out of the crab salad. I'm afraid.

Last week, (week six in the Netherlands) my Mom and Nana came to visit. They arrived on Sunday morning, and I went to pick them up at Schipol with Hanny and Gerard. I had spent Saturday night with Amanda and the guys, so getting up early was a struggle. We had breakfast at Gerard and Hanny's house, and all five of us spent the day in Leiden Center. Went to the Horticus Botanicus and out to lunch at a cafe on the Rapenburg. Wandered around for a bit after Gerard and Hanny left, and spent Sunday night at the bar at the Holiday Inn.

Monday, Mom, Nana and I went to Amsterdam for the day. We walked through Dam Square, and went to Maddame Tussaud's Scenerama, which was really cool. Did some shopping, and had to get back early for dinner at Gerard and Hanny's house. Hanny made us hutspot, a traditional Dutch meal, and I didn't hate it. Got to talk to Joe and Leah on the phone for the first time in a while, and I got all teary eyed. I am such a pussy. I miss them so much. Tuesday, I took mom on a bike tour through Leiden center and then we joined Nana to go to Den Haag. We didn't have much time to spend there, since I had to get back for Dutch class at 7, but we saw the Parliament building, Noordeinde Palace and the International Court of Justice. We also went to a chocolate store. Just couldn't resist.

Wednesday I had Dutch Politics class. Only two more weeks of that class, and getting up at 7. How beautiful it is. After class, I met Mom and Nana at the Centraal Station, and Gerard picked us up to go to Zeeland. Had about a three hour drive, which was OK, since I miss driving and cars. I'm sick of the bus. We went first to Waterworld, which is a museum/park where the Eastern Storm Surge Barrier/Delta Works project is located. Walked through the museum, and the actual storm surge barrier. It may not be the Eiffel Tower, but it was still pretty fascinating. The Delta Works project has been an inspiration for US engineers in the solution to pumping the water out of New Orleans. They also had giant sand castles and seals. What could be better? From there, we went to Middelburg, the city I have to do a project on for A Peep Behind the Dikes. It's a quiet little town, with friendly people and a beautiful church. We spent some time taking in the "sights" and had dinner.

Thursday, Mom, Nana and I spent the day in Leiden. I had class from 1-3 and 7-10, so we couldn't really go anywhere. Had doners, and went to the Molenmuseam "De Valk." It's in a windmill, and we got to climb to the top where there was a really great view of Leiden. After Dutch class, I went to the hotel and we ate and watched a show about a boy and his cross dressing father.

Friday morning we had to go to the airport. Mom and Nana had a 1:30 flight. I hated to see them leave. I had such a good time... and I think I finally made up for ditching them during every "Family Day" at UMass. Despite the classes, I felt like I was on vacation all week. The weather was fantastic, and I stayed at the hotel. No smoke-filled room. No diary reading Maria. (Yeah, she read my diary last week... I'm so pissed.) Even though I cried at the airport, I felt OK soon after. After all, this is not the first time that I will have to be away from my family for a long period of time, nor will it be the last. I'm getting used to it, very slowly.

Anyway, I got back from Schipol in time to go to class. Maria made me dinner, and I hung out with Drew and Tim for a couple hours. They talked about guns and Tim played clips from his Uncle Ned's radio show in Florida. Really off color and offensive, but funny.

Yesterday, I went to Breda with Dafne, and two other girls from Intro to Dutch Culture class- Eileen from Germany and Tunde from Hungary. It is about an hours drive, and Eileen has her car here, which was great and so much cheaper than the train. Breda is a nice city and I had a good time, even though we encountered some really rude people. There was (yet another) beautiful church, and a Subway and a gorgeous park. Finally- a little bit of fall in the low country. Got back around 8, and met up later at Dafne's flat for martini's, snacks, really bad TV movies and deep conversations. An interesting combination.

Today... I booked my tickets for Scotland. Eleven days!! I have some letter writing and other things to catch up on, and I will probably go for a walk. It's so nice out! I have to take advantage of the good weather while I can. Not to mention, I have ten weeks left in Holland. I can't waste another second.


Horticus Botanicus

Gerard, Nana, me & Mom.

Fiiiiish.

Hanny, Mom & Nana, looking at the fish.

Holiday Inn, Leiden, and random horses.
Amsterdam

Me & the Queen <3 at Madame Tussaud's.

I don't know who this guy is supposed to be, but Mom is checking out his chicken.

Mom & Lance Armstrong.

Dam Square.

Me, Oprah, Nana & Mel Gibson.

Sunset at Gerard and Hanny's.
Den Haag

Me in front of the ICJ.

Outside the ICJ...So THAT'S how they tow cars in Holland.
Zeeland/Middleburg

Me, Nana & Mom.


Hi Nana!

Storm surge barrier.

Seals!!

Middelburg.

Mom, Gerard & Nana- Prost!